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Section 5310 Funding

The Commission coordinates with Milwaukee County and WisDOT to administer the Section 5310 program, which provides funding to enhance the mobility of seniors and people with disabilities.

Section 5310 Program

The application period for 2025-2026 Section 5310 Program funds closed on September 9, 2024. More than $7.1 million in Federal funds were requested, while available funding in 2025 and 2026 total $1,604,227 and $1,505,567, respectively. A scoring panel evaluated the submitted projects based on criteria developed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and awarded funds to the successful recipients.

The Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program provides Federal funding to improve mobility for seniors and people with disabilities. See the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Circular 9070.1G for complete information on the Section 5310 program.

The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (Commission), in coordination with Milwaukee County staff, developed a Program Management and Recipient Coordination Plan and Section 5310 Application Guidelines, which explain project eligibility, describe the procedures for administering the Section 5310 program, and serve as a guide for the application process. In addition, a Frequently Asked Questions document is available for guidance while completing the application and addresses common concerns raised during previous application cycles.

Project Requests, Competitive Process, and Awarded Federal Funds

The Commission, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and Milwaukee County, will announce the availability of future Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program funding. This program is funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) as authorized under 49 U.S.C. § 5310 (CFDA 20.521). It is anticipated that the next funding cycle will occur in summer 2026.

Funding Eligibility
Designated Recipient

Private, nonprofit organizations and state and local government agencies that provide these services at least partially within the Milwaukee Urbanized Area (see the static map or the interactive map) to seniors and people with disabilities can submit an application for Section 5310 funding. If your service area does not include any parts of the Milwaukee Urbanized Area, you can apply for funding through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).

Eligible projects include capital expenses for vehicles and related equipment used to transport seniors and people with disabilities. Funds may also be used for activities related to mobility management and operating projects that specifically serve seniors and people with disabilities, travel training to instruct people with disabilities on using fixed-route bus services, and capital projects to remove barriers at bus stops for people with disabilities.

For large urbanized areas, like the Milwaukee Urbanized Area, a public entity must be designated as the recipient of Section 5310 funding. For the Milwaukee Urbanized Area, Milwaukee County has been selected as the designated recipient and is responsible for receiving and administering the Section 5310 funds.

Commission staff manages the application process as well as the competitive process for the selection of projects that receive Section 5310 funds. This process involves a scoring panel that evaluates and scores submitted projects based on criteria developed by WisDOT.